I think what this outpour of commentary for DVDs/Local meetings is
demonstrating there is a large need for additional information. And it seems to
me that
this just a matter of supporting customers, but rather an essential part of
the business plan for Real - considering that RB's main selling point is ease
of
use.
The documentation is good - but it leaves out a lot of details which there is
no way to understand without asking questions. Just as Real Basic is updated
from version 5 to 5.24 to 5.5 to 5.5.4 to 6, the documentation should be
updated as well - Not just the incremental changes of inclulding the new
features
in the documentation - but also gradually improving the documentation in ALL
areas as the program is improved.
For example, this printing resolution issue ... its a perfect example.
Clearly people have some issues with it. And there are many things like this.
Its
sort of like if you already understand how it works, then OLR is a great way to
refresh your memory, but not to really get answers from when you don't know
how it works. So what someone at REAL should do, is think "Hmmm - I see we need
to re-write some bits of the printer resolution section - in fact, maybe we
need a specific topic on resolution. Ok, I'll spend an hour and re-write that
section."
Gradually over time, the entire set of documentation would improve. Its
always the case that programmers consider documentation an unnecessary
afterthought
- but its actually a vital part of the package - and the business model. In
the case of RB, its actually a core feature! - its user friendliness, and the
idea that novices can program.
The Texas conference bringing together all the most serious people is still
necessary no matter what other options there are. Considering that Apple gives
away their development kit for free and Real Basic has the slight misnomer of
"Basic" in it, its important to develop Real Basic as a serious developer
solution. Maybe someday Real Developer might be sold on newsstands - which is
beneficial to the company and those of us who have hitched our wagons to it.
And there seems to be a wealth of good topics at the conference. (But even if
it were free, and held down the street, I would not attend because I can't
miss work.) Maybe the Texas conference can be used as an inspiration to develop
further materials.
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